Can anyone recommend a good hotel or motel to stay (midweek) in Canberra, Australia?  Not too expensive please. Thank you.

Response:

> Can anyone recommend a good hotel or motel to stay (midweek) in > Canberra, Australia?  Not too expensive please. > Thank you.

In Australia, you will find that 99.99% of the time you get the level of service, etc., that you pay for. Therefore the more you pay the "better" the motel/hotel. If you need a recommendation for an establishment close to a particular location, give us some idea of your preferences. Geoff Lillico

Response:

I’m travelling all the way from Sydney by car, so location is not important.

Response:

Probably the cheapest is the "Formule 1" motel (part of the Accor Hotel group). It’s address is: Address:    Cnr Federal Hwy & Antill Street, Watson, Canberra  ACT  2602 Cost:           $54 per room, per night Phone:        (02) 6253-9020 You can book online at: www.formule1.com.au And here is a blurb from their website: Located on the Federal Highway heading into Canberra. A 5-minute drive from the City Centre, Parliament House, Australian War Memorial and Capital Hill. Hope this helps, Tamss

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Can anyone recommend a good hotel or motel to stay (midweek) in > Canberra, Australia?  Not too expensive please. > Thank you.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Probably the cheapest is the "Formule 1" motel (part of the Accor Hotel > group). It’s address is: > Address:    Cnr Federal Hwy & Antill Street, Watson, Canberra  ACT  2602 > Cost:           $54 per room, per night > Phone:        (02) 6253-9020 > You can book online at: www.formule1.com.au > And here is a blurb from their website: > Located on the Federal Highway heading into Canberra. A 5-minute drive from > the City Centre, Parliament House, Australian War Memorial and Capital Hill. > Hope this helps, > Tamss > Can anyone recommend a good hotel or motel to stay (midweek) in > Canberra, Australia?  Not too expensive please. > Thank you.

I really enjoyed the new(ish – now around 3 YO) hostel in central Canberra (not the YHA on the outskirts, if Canberra can properly be said to have outskirts 8-)) – I believe they have family rooms.  Great facilities, central as mentioned (near one of the malls and within walking distance of parliament, etc.), clean, bright, affordable, on-site bar, sauna, and whirlpool.  I’ve stayed at inferior hotels at four times the price!

Response:

We are coming to sight see with my father, who is flying over from NZ. He is getting on, so we would like somewhere warm and comfortable. Jan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

<snipped> > According to snopes.com (specifically, > http://www.snopes.com/crime/justice/grambo.htm) it is not true, but it > is amusing. > As Katherine pointed out, the vernacular is much too American to pass > for Australian. > BTW, I highly recommend www.snopes.com to anyone interested in finding > out more about stuff they get sent to their computers. They do a > pretty thorough job of researching things, and there is some > interesting sociology involved, too.

Yep, snopes is a great resource. I didn’t go there initially because of the Australian reference, but I did end up there in the end! Snopes was particularly informative after the Sept 11 attacks, as it helped separate the truth from a lot of the rumours that were going around. — Katharine S.   Don’t you wish there were a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence? There’s one marked ‘Brightness,’ but it doesn’t work. – Gallagher

Response:

"GO GRANNY!" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> MELBOURNE, Australia — Gun-toting granny Ava Estelle, 81, as so ticked-off > when two thugs raped her 18-year-old granddaughter that she tracked the > unsuspecting ex-cons down and shot off their testicles. > The old lady spent a week hunting those men down–and when she found them, > she took revenge on them in her own special way…said Melbourne police > investigator Evan Delp. > Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the > sergeant’s desk and told him as calm as could be: "Those bastards will > never rape anybody again, by God." > Cops say convicted rapist and robber Davis Furth, 33, lost both his penis > and his testicles when outraged Ava opened fire with a 9-mm pistol in the > hotel room where he and former prison cellmate Stanley Thomas, 29, were > holed up. > The wrinkled avenger also blew Thomas’ testicles to kingdom come, but > doctors managed to save his mangled penis, police said.  The one guy, > Thomas, didn’t lose his manhood, but the doctor I talked to said he won’t > be using it the way he used to, Detective Delp told reporters. > Both men are still in pretty bad shape, but I think they’re just happy to > be alive after what they’ve been through. > The Rambo Granny swung into action June 21 after her granddaughter Debbie > was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife-wielding creeps in a > section of town bordering on skid row.  "When I saw the look on my Debbie’s > face that night in the hospital, I decided I was going to > go out and get those bastards myself ’cause I figured the Law would go easy > on them," recalled the retired library worker. > "And I wasn’t scared of them, either — because I’ve got me a gun and I’ve > been shootin’ all my life.  And I wasn’t dumb enough to turn it in when the > law changed about owning one." > So, using a police artist’s sketch of the suspects and Debbie’s description > of the sickos’, tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days prowling the > wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place till she spotted the > ill-fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel. > "I knew it was them the minute I saw ‘em, but I shot a picture of ‘em > anyway and took it back to Debbie and she said sure as hell, it was them," > the oldster recalled. "So I went back to that hotel and found their room > and knocked on the door — and the minute the big one, Furth, opened the > door, I shot ‘em right square between the legs, right where it would really > hurt ‘em most, you know.  Then I went in and shot the > other one as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. Then I went down to > the police station and turned myself in." > Now, baffled lawmen are trying to figure out exactly how to deal with the > vigilante granny.  What she did was wrong, and she broke the law, but it is > difficult to throw an 81-year-old woman in prison. Det. Delp said. > Especially when 3 million people in the city want to nominate her for > sainthood and a medal. > — > DPatterson,PharmD

Response:

That’s the first I’ve heard of it! Although I’ve been to busy to follow the news much lately… I assume this was in a US paper? There’s a a few words and phrases that don’t sound quite legit in a local sense, although I suppose it could have been slightly re-worded for the US release. Eg: > The Rambo Granny swung into action June 21 after her granddaughter > Debbie was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife- > wielding creeps in a section of town bordering on skid row.

We don’t tend to say ‘town’, rather city. ‘bordering on skid row’ doesn’t make much sense. > "And I wasn’t scared of them, either — because I’ve got me a gun and > I’ve been shootin’ all my life.  And I wasn’t dumb enough to turn it > in when the law changed about owning one."

‘I’ve got me a gun’ sounds like American-English rather than Australian-English. > So, using a police artist’s sketch of the suspects and Debbie’s > description of the sickos’, tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days > prowling the wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place > till she spotted the ill-fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel.

‘flophouse hotel’? >  Then I went in > and shot the other one as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. > Then I went down to the police station and turned myself in."

‘Pleading’? Going by her vocab, I’d expect her to say ‘begging’. Anyway, I’ve just done some research, and it looks like it’s an urban legend, going back a couple of years now. Sorry! — Katharine S.   A user-friendly computer first requires a friendly user.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> MELBOURNE, Australia — Gun-toting granny Ava Estelle, 81, as so ticked-off > when two thugs raped her 18-year-old granddaughter that she tracked the > unsuspecting ex-cons down and shot off their testicles. > The old lady spent a week hunting those men down–and when she found them, > she took revenge on them in her own special way…said Melbourne police > investigator Evan Delp. > Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the > sergeant’s desk and told him as calm as could be: "Those bastards will > never rape anybody again, by God." > Cops say convicted rapist and robber Davis Furth, 33, lost both his penis > and his testicles when outraged Ava opened fire with a 9-mm pistol in the > hotel room where he and former prison cellmate Stanley Thomas, 29, were > holed up. > The wrinkled avenger also blew Thomas’ testicles to kingdom come, but > doctors managed to save his mangled penis, police said.  The one guy, > Thomas, didn’t lose his manhood, but the doctor I talked to said he won’t > be using it the way he used to, Detective Delp told reporters. > Both men are still in pretty bad shape, but I think they’re just happy to > be alive after what they’ve been through. > The Rambo Granny swung into action June 21 after her granddaughter Debbie > was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife-wielding creeps in a > section of town bordering on skid row.  "When I saw the look on my Debbie’s > face that night in the hospital, I decided I was going to > go out and get those bastards myself ’cause I figured the Law would go easy > on them," recalled the retired library worker. > "And I wasn’t scared of them, either — because I’ve got me a gun and I’ve > been shootin’ all my life.  And I wasn’t dumb enough to turn it in when the > law changed about owning one." > So, using a police artist’s sketch of the suspects and Debbie’s description > of the sickos’, tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days prowling the > wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place till she spotted the > ill-fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel. > "I knew it was them the minute I saw ‘em, but I shot a picture of ‘em > anyway and took it back to Debbie and she said sure as hell, it was them," > the oldster recalled. "So I went back to that hotel and found their room > and knocked on the door — and the minute the big one, Furth, opened the > door, I shot ‘em right square between the legs, right where it would really > hurt ‘em most, you know.  Then I went in and shot the > other one as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. Then I went down to > the police station and turned myself in." > Now, baffled lawmen are trying to figure out exactly how to deal with the > vigilante granny.  What she did was wrong, and she broke the law, but it is > difficult to throw an 81-year-old woman in prison. Det. Delp said. > Especially when 3 million people in the city want to nominate her for > sainthood and a medal. > — > DPatterson,PharmD

According to snopes.com (specifically, http://www.snopes.com/crime/justice/grambo.htm) it is not true, but it is amusing. As Katherine pointed out, the vernacular is much too American to pass for Australian. BTW, I highly recommend www.snopes.com to anyone interested in finding out more about stuff they get sent to their computers. They do a pretty thorough job of researching things, and there is some interesting sociology involved, too.

Response:

MELBOURNE, Australia — Gun-toting granny Ava Estelle, 81, as so ticked-off when two thugs raped her 18-year-old granddaughter that she tracked the unsuspecting ex-cons down and shot off their testicles. The old lady spent a week hunting those men down–and when she found them, she took revenge on them in her own special way…said Melbourne police investigator Evan Delp. Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the sergeant’s desk and told him as calm as could be: "Those bastards will never rape anybody again, by God." Cops say convicted rapist and robber Davis Furth, 33, lost both his penis and his testicles when outraged Ava opened fire with a 9-mm pistol in the hotel room where he and former prison cellmate Stanley Thomas, 29, were holed up. The wrinkled avenger also blew Thomas’ testicles to kingdom come, but doctors managed to save his mangled penis, police said.  The one guy, Thomas, didn’t lose his manhood, but the doctor I talked to said he won’t be using it the way he used to, Detective Delp told reporters. Both men are still in pretty bad shape, but I think they’re just happy to be alive after what they’ve been through. The Rambo Granny swung into action June 21 after her granddaughter Debbie was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife-wielding creeps in a section of town bordering on skid row.  "When I saw the look on my Debbie’s face that night in the hospital, I decided I was going to go out and get those bastards myself ’cause I figured the Law would go easy on them," recalled the retired library worker. "And I wasn’t scared of them, either — because I’ve got me a gun and I’ve been shootin’ all my life.  And I wasn’t dumb enough to turn it in when the law changed about owning one." So, using a police artist’s sketch of the suspects and Debbie’s description of the sickos’, tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days prowling the wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place till she spotted the ill-fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel. "I knew it was them the minute I saw ‘em, but I shot a picture of ‘em anyway and took it back to Debbie and she said sure as hell, it was them," the oldster recalled. "So I went back to that hotel and found their room and knocked on the door — and the minute the big one, Furth, opened the door, I shot ‘em right square between the legs, right where it would really hurt ‘em most, you know.  Then I went in and shot the other one as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. Then I went down to the police station and turned myself in." Now, baffled lawmen are trying to figure out exactly how to deal with the vigilante granny.  What she did was wrong, and she broke the law, but it is difficult to throw an 81-year-old woman in prison. Det. Delp said. Especially when 3 million people in the city want to nominate her for sainthood and a medal. — DPatterson,PharmD

Response:

Hello, I’m going to Australia this summer and i’d like to know how the hayman hotel is ? Here, in Belgium, I have many opinions some good, some less bad… Some people are saying that the hotel is not so beautiful, the food is VERY expensive, the beach not very nice, etc… If you already been there, what is your opinion ? thank you

Response:

Spent 4 days at Hayman in January 2001…we found the hotel very nice and service very good.  There are actually quite a lot of activities: hiking, snorkeling, and the like, or you can just relax on the beach.  The beach is fairly small but beautiful – and it was never very crowded, despite our being there during a busy time. The restaurants and activities are quite expensive but in my opinion worth it.  If you go, I recommend a "Palm Superior" room – their bottom of the line, but the only significant difference in room types is view (and a couple hundred dollars). Michael

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > I’m going to Australia this summer and i’d like to know how the hayman hotel > is ? > Here, in Belgium, I have many opinions some good, some less bad… > Some people are saying that the hotel is not so beautiful, the food is VERY > expensive, the beach not very nice, etc… > If you already been there, what is your opinion ? > thank you

Response:

>I have many opinions some good, some less bad… >Some people are saying that the hotel is not so beautiful, the food is VERY >expensive, the beach not very nice, etc…

Hayman Island Resort is rated as one of the top five resorts in the world. Everything there is very nice and very expensive. Mick

Response:

Hi, Can anyone give me some details and recommend ( or not ) the B&B chain of hotels in France ? Thanks Alex

Response:

http://www2.gites-de-france.fr/eng/index.htm would be the best site for your requirements.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > Can anyone give me some details and recommend ( or not ) the B&B chain of > hotels in France ? > Thanks > Alex

Response:

http://home.wxs.nl/~marlaine/ton.htm select Hiking and STAYING or directly http://home.wxs.nl/~marlaine/staying.htm France – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi, >Can anyone give me some details and recommend ( or not ) the B&B chain of >hotels in France ? >Thanks >Alex

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >http://www2.gites-de-france.fr/eng/index.htm would be the best site for your >requirements. > Hi, > Can anyone give me some details and recommend ( or not ) the B&B chain of > hotels in France ? > Thanks > Alex

I suspect that the original poster was interested in a chain with the name B&B and not generic b&b accommodation. If so try http://www.hotel-bb.com/ They appear to be a cut above Formule 1 but not such a large cut and despite the name you still have to pay extra for breakfast. Gerrit Come and visit Western Australia – you’ll love it!

Response:

Hi, Can anyone give me some details and recommend ( or not ) the B&B chain of hotels in France ? Thanks Alex

Response:

http://www2.gites-de-france.fr/eng/index.htm would be the best site for your requirements.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > Can anyone give me some details and recommend ( or not ) the B&B chain of > hotels in France ? > Thanks > Alex

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >http://www2.gites-de-france.fr/eng/index.htm would be the best site for your >requirements. > Hi, > Can anyone give me some details and recommend ( or not ) the B&B chain of > hotels in France ? > Thanks > Alex

I suspect that the original poster was interested in a chain with the name B&B and not generic b&b accommodation. If so try http://www.hotel-bb.com/ They appear to be a cut above Formule 1 but not such a large cut and despite the name you still have to pay extra for breakfast. Gerrit Come and visit Western Australia – you’ll love it!

Response:

http://home.wxs.nl/~marlaine/ton.htm select Hiking and STAYING or directly http://home.wxs.nl/~marlaine/staying.htm France – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi, >Can anyone give me some details and recommend ( or not ) the B&B chain of >hotels in France ? >Thanks >Alex

Response:

My wife and me want to go to Australia this August, but everything is very expensive: one room in a medium hotel, 100 $AUS / night, hire a campervan $AUS 220 / day… Are they cheating me? Anybody  help us? (don’t reply to newsgroup, reply to email) Sorry for my engligh, I’m spanish. I write better in Spanish.

Response:

First, you need to remember that $100 AUS is only about $65 US. Second, you can get good accommodation for less than $100 but it will not be near the city centre or the tourist attractions in most places. Third, if the campervan is too expensive at $220 (and it sounds like it to me), you could always rent a family-sized car for about $60 per day and stay in motels at about the same price.  Total $120 a day, and better fuel consumption/showers/TV, etc at the motel.  If you take a camper, you will still have to pay a fee at caravan parks to use their electricity and showers. My suggestion for a less-expensive holiday is to not book more than one night’s accommodation before arrival, then rent a car and pick your hotels/motels from the directory (book) available from a motoring association.  These list all accommodation by type, price and location. They also have photos.  The staff at the hotel/motel will help you get a directory. Good holiday! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >My wife and me want to go to Australia this August, but everything is >very expensive: one room in a medium hotel, 100 $AUS / night, hire a >campervan $AUS 220 / day… >Are they cheating me? >Anybody  help us? >(don’t reply to newsgroup, reply to email) >Sorry for my engligh, I’m spanish. I write better in Spanish.

Response:

An option to consider are Youth Hostels – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >My wife and me want to go to Australia this August, but everything is >very expensive: one room in a medium hotel, 100 $AUS / night, hire a >campervan $AUS 220 / day… >Are they cheating me? >Anybody  help us? >(don’t reply to newsgroup, reply to email) >Sorry for my engligh, I’m spanish. I write better in Spanish.

Response:

> My wife and me want to go to Australia this August, but everything is > very expensive: one room in a medium hotel, 100 $AUS / night, hire a > campervan $AUS 220 / day… > Are they cheating me? > Anybody  help us? > (don’t reply to newsgroup, reply to email) > Sorry for my engligh, I’m spanish. I write better in Spanish.

Your English is fine… These *are* fairly standard rates but you can do a bit better by booking in advance, etc.  It depends very largely on the standard of accomodation you are seeking (I go with a backpack and backpacking is BIG business in Aus with all kinds of good value at decent rates).

Response:

Hi I doubt that they are cheating you. Just as in Spain, Australian motels vary in cost according to location and standard. For instance I found prices in Barcelona more expensive than those of Sydney whilst some of the more remote places on the Cabo de Gata were cheaper than the equivalent Australian motels.  However, since the AU$ has lost 10% of its value since we were in Spain, it can only be cheaper for you now. I recommend hiring a car and staying in motels. I wouldnt pre-book them, just drive to where you want to go and look at a few when you get there. Paying in cash sometimes gets you a better deal. Enjoy your trip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My wife and me want to go to Australia this August, but everything is > very expensive: one room in a medium hotel, 100 $AUS / night, hire a > campervan $AUS 220 / day… > Are they cheating me? > Anybody  help us? > (don’t reply to newsgroup, reply to email) > Sorry for my engligh, I’m spanish. I write better in Spanish.

Response:

Convert your currency using the converter at this link.  RC http://yourworldnet.planetdirect.com/high/off_site/pdviewer.asp?www=h… ww.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbsmat/bonvoyage/currency.html&geo=0 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My wife and me want to go to Australia this August, but everything is > very expensive: one room in a medium hotel, 100 $AUS / night, hire a > campervan $AUS 220 / day… > Are they cheating me? > Anybody  help us? > (don’t reply to newsgroup, reply to email) > Sorry for my engligh, I’m spanish. I write better in Spanish.

Response:

> Convert your currency using the converter at this link.  RC

Spanish pesetas would be roughly 100:AUD1

Response:

I am Australian and live in Sydney –

> My wife and me want to go to Australia this August, but everything is > very expensive: one room in a medium hotel, 100 $AUS / night, hire a > campervan $AUS 220 / day…

Prices sound like they are "tourist class". In outer areas and country regions $50 night incl breakfast is normal. Avoid the cities – They are like all cities – Aquarium, museum, churches etc… Campervans are $200 etc but can be cheaper – Try Brits, Budget and Maui (on web ?) Search for them at www.bigpond.com site for Yellow Pages and White Pages directiries. Remeber that includes accomodation but you MUST park in a van park overnight in Australia unlike NZ. Fuel 79c litre Sydney, 65c Brisbane/melbourne and 90c country. Milk 1.35 litre Bread 1.90 – 2.60 680gm loaf Big Mac $3.15 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Are they cheating me? > Anybody  help us? > (don’t reply to newsgroup, reply to email) > Sorry for my engligh, I’m spanish. I write better in Spanish.

Response:

>I am an Australian living in Amsterdam and my parents are visiting me from >Australia in August.  I plan on showing them the sights of Amsterdam and >taking a quick trip over to London to show them big Ben, red buses, >Bckingham palace, shows, etc all the touristy stuff.  Can anyone recommend >accommodation in London not to far from the touristy places but not to >expensive either.  

I strongly second the recommendation for Scala-House.  Very nice, affordable apartments in a great central location just off Tottenham St very near Goodge Street Station.  The Palos Family are wonderful hosts.  But they fill up fast!!! There’s a grocery store right around the corner, and many very good restaurants within four or five blocks.  Their minimum stay is 3 days. I think so highly of the Scala that if I had 2 days planned in London, I’d stretch it to three just to be able to stay there. W. A. and Brenda Robison Pack Your Bags:  http://www.cp-tel.net/war

Response:

Hello. A site that I found recently has some helpful short reviews of London hotels based on personal recommendations and a city guide for London. You may find it helpful – it is at: http://cube.icestorm.com/homepage/hotelguide.html Regards, William. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am an Australian living in Amsterdam and my parents are visiting me from > Australia in August.  I plan on showing them the sights of Amsterdam and > taking a quick trip over to London to show them big Ben, red buses, > Bckingham palace, shows, etc all the touristy stuff.  Can anyone recommend > accommodation in London not to far from the touristy places but not to > expensive either.  Nice accommodation either hotel, apartment etc to house > 3 > adults and two children 4 and 6  Husband might mind the kids so it could > be > for just 3 adults minus the kids for about 4 or 5 days. > thanks and regards.

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

sorry i just checked again its members.aol.com/superhomes/index.htm and it sounds just as nice yes i realise there are heaps of "cheaper"  places than scala house but i wouldn’t put this place in the same category as a hostel  .. not that there is anything wrong with hostels.

Response:

Have a look at www.scala-house.co.uk. These is an apartment-style hotel that is well suited for a small family, or just the adults. We stayed there last year, and I highly recommend it. It’s cost-effective and well located. I would NOT stay at a hotel again – too impersaonal and nowhere to stretch out. Ted SYDNEY

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am an Australian living in Amsterdam and my parents are visiting me from > Australia in August.  I plan on showing them the sights of Amsterdam and > taking a quick trip over to London to show them big Ben, red buses, > Bckingham palace, shows, etc all the touristy stuff.  Can anyone recommend > accommodation in London not to far from the touristy places but not to > expensive either.  Nice accommodation either hotel, apartment etc to house 3 > adults and two children 4 and 6  Husband might mind the kids so it could be > for just 3 adults minus the kids for about 4 or 5 days. > thanks and regards.

Response:

You’re always going to be able to get cheaper listings. I mean they could stay at a Youth Hostel if they really wanted to save money. At Scala House you get a two bedroom apartment with separate lounge, full kitchen and laundry. If you’re going to see London with kids (or even without them) then an apartment beats a hotel room any day of the week. Usual disclaimer. No financial or other interest in Scala House. Just been there, think it’s great and highly recommend it to others. Oh, BTW, "members.aol.com/SuperHomes/index.html" doesn’t exist. Ted Bell SYDNEY

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> i’ve just been to their web site > Superhomes.  web site has cheaper listings > members.aol.com/SuperHomes/index.html > or if its just the adults and you can handle sleeping in a motel type room.ie 1 > room > try travel inn  the central london ones are 59.95 pounds a nite > or studios92.com  for just the adults > they mentioned somethings called "charlies hotel" if you have kids. since their > apartments cater to only over 16’s you can get to charlies hotel on a link

Response:

I am an Australian living in Amsterdam and my parents are visiting me from Australia in August.  I plan on showing them the sights of Amsterdam and taking a quick trip over to London to show them big Ben, red buses, Bckingham palace, shows, etc all the touristy stuff.  Can anyone recommend accommodation in London not to far from the touristy places but not to expensive either.  Nice accommodation either hotel, apartment etc to house 3 adults and two children 4 and 6  Husband might mind the kids so it could be for just 3 adults minus the kids for about 4 or 5 days. thanks and regards.

Response:

i’ve just been to their web site Superhomes.  web site has cheaper listings members.aol.com/SuperHomes/index.html or if its just the adults and you can handle sleeping in a motel type room.ie 1 room try travel inn  the central london ones are 59.95 pounds a nite or studios92.com  for just the adults they mentioned somethings called "charlies hotel" if you have kids. since their apartments cater to only over 16’s you can get to charlies hotel on a link

Response:

I am an Australian living in Amsterdam and my parents are visiting me from Australia in August.  I plan on showing them the sights of Amsterdam and taking a quick trip over to London to show them big Ben, red buses, Bckingham palace, shows, etc all the touristy stuff.  Can anyone recommend accommodation in London not to far from the touristy places but not to expensive either.  Nice accommodation either hotel, apartment etc to house 3 adults and two children 4 and 6  Husband might mind the kids so it could be for just 3 adults minus the kids for about 4 or 5 days. thanks and regards.

Response:

i’ve just been to their web site Superhomes.  web site has cheaper listings members.aol.com/SuperHomes/index.html or if its just the adults and you can handle sleeping in a motel type room.ie 1 room try travel inn  the central london ones are 59.95 pounds a nite or studios92.com  for just the adults they mentioned somethings called "charlies hotel" if you have kids. since their apartments cater to only over 16’s you can get to charlies hotel on a link

Response:

Have a look at www.scala-house.co.uk. These is an apartment-style hotel that is well suited for a small family, or just the adults. We stayed there last year, and I highly recommend it. It’s cost-effective and well located. I would NOT stay at a hotel again – too impersaonal and nowhere to stretch out. Ted SYDNEY

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am an Australian living in Amsterdam and my parents are visiting me from > Australia in August.  I plan on showing them the sights of Amsterdam and > taking a quick trip over to London to show them big Ben, red buses, > Bckingham palace, shows, etc all the touristy stuff.  Can anyone recommend > accommodation in London not to far from the touristy places but not to > expensive either.  Nice accommodation either hotel, apartment etc to house 3 > adults and two children 4 and 6  Husband might mind the kids so it could be > for just 3 adults minus the kids for about 4 or 5 days. > thanks and regards.

Response:

You’re always going to be able to get cheaper listings. I mean they could stay at a Youth Hostel if they really wanted to save money. At Scala House you get a two bedroom apartment with separate lounge, full kitchen and laundry. If you’re going to see London with kids (or even without them) then an apartment beats a hotel room any day of the week. Usual disclaimer. No financial or other interest in Scala House. Just been there, think it’s great and highly recommend it to others. Oh, BTW, "members.aol.com/SuperHomes/index.html" doesn’t exist. Ted Bell SYDNEY

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> i’ve just been to their web site > Superhomes.  web site has cheaper listings > members.aol.com/SuperHomes/index.html > or if its just the adults and you can handle sleeping in a motel type room.ie 1 > room > try travel inn  the central london ones are 59.95 pounds a nite > or studios92.com  for just the adults > they mentioned somethings called "charlies hotel" if you have kids. since their > apartments cater to only over 16’s you can get to charlies hotel on a link

Response:

>I am an Australian living in Amsterdam and my parents are visiting me from >Australia in August.  I plan on showing them the sights of Amsterdam and >taking a quick trip over to London to show them big Ben, red buses, >Bckingham palace, shows, etc all the touristy stuff.  Can anyone recommend >accommodation in London not to far from the touristy places but not to >expensive either.  

I strongly second the recommendation for Scala-House.  Very nice, affordable apartments in a great central location just off Tottenham St very near Goodge Street Station.  The Palos Family are wonderful hosts.  But they fill up fast!!! There’s a grocery store right around the corner, and many very good restaurants within four or five blocks.  Their minimum stay is 3 days. I think so highly of the Scala that if I had 2 days planned in London, I’d stretch it to three just to be able to stay there. W. A. and Brenda Robison Pack Your Bags:  http://www.cp-tel.net/war

Response:

sorry i just checked again its members.aol.com/superhomes/index.htm and it sounds just as nice yes i realise there are heaps of "cheaper"  places than scala house but i wouldn’t put this place in the same category as a hostel  .. not that there is anything wrong with hostels.

Response:

Hello. A site that I found recently has some helpful short reviews of London hotels based on personal recommendations and a city guide for London. You may find it helpful – it is at: http://cube.icestorm.com/homepage/hotelguide.html Regards, William. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am an Australian living in Amsterdam and my parents are visiting me from > Australia in August.  I plan on showing them the sights of Amsterdam and > taking a quick trip over to London to show them big Ben, red buses, > Bckingham palace, shows, etc all the touristy stuff.  Can anyone recommend > accommodation in London not to far from the touristy places but not to > expensive either.  Nice accommodation either hotel, apartment etc to house > 3 > adults and two children 4 and 6  Husband might mind the kids so it could > be > for just 3 adults minus the kids for about 4 or 5 days. > thanks and regards.

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Anyone flown them long distance eg: London to Australia? My friend is thinking of booking as is

Hello there I plan to visit Australia this coming October We would like to know if is okay to drive from Bribane to Melbourne and still able to do adequate sight seeing at major spot on rout in about 9 days time. Also can anyone give us an idea of what to see and where to spend night on this route Thank you very much. This is our first trip to Austalia. Dr Patrick Cheah.

Response:

>We would like to know if is okay to drive from Bribane to Melbourne and >still able to do adequate sight seeing at major spot on rout in about 9 >days time. >Also can anyone give us an idea of what to see and where to spend night on >this route >Thank you very much. >This is our first trip to Austalia. >Dr Patrick Cheah.

Patrick, You CAN drive from Melbourne to Brisbane in nine days, but you will spend at least 24 hours of that time actually driving – that’s three days fairly heavy driving!. Nine days is about the right amount of time to spend in ONE of Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane (and the Gold Coast). Based in say Sydney – you could see the Jenolan Caves, the Blue Mountains and the museums, galleries, beaches and shopping of Sydney itself. Brisbane – the Darling Downs, Gold Coast beaches and theme parks, Lamington Plateau and again the museums, galleries and shopping in Brisbane itself, including Lone Pine Sanctuary. Paul

Response:

>Hello there >I plan to visit Australia this coming October >We would like to know if is okay to drive from Bribane to Melbourne and >still able to do adequate sight seeing at major spot on rout in about 9 >days time. >Also can anyone give us an idea of what to see and where to spend night on >this route >Thank you very much. >This is our first trip to Austalia.

I think that 9 days could be enough, if you’re prepared to do some serious driving between Brisbane,Sydney and Melbourne. You wouldn’t really have much time to look at rural N.S.W or Victoria. You can drive the distance in 2 days, but 3 would be more comfortable. Given the amount of time, you would pretty much spend a couple of days in Brisbane, drive straight to Sydney, another 2 days there and then shoot down the Hume Highway and spend the last 2/3 days in Melbourne. A bit of a rush, but possible. The Princes Highway is a lot more scenic, so you could sacrifice that 3rd day in Melbourne and go through Batemans Bay/Tathra/Merimbula/Lakes Entrance etc… I can’t recommend any hotels en-route. My wife and I stayed in B&B’s when we toured N.S.W last. It was far better than any hotel/motel trip we’d done before. P.S Make sure you stop for a look at Tilba-Tilba. Maybe even stay the night there…some beatiful little B&B’s in a cute town. Darren Vandenberg (remove X from address for any email replies) http://web.access.net.au/dfv/dfv.html

Response:

Hi there, I need some help about finding a nice, clean and inexpensive in downtown Sydney for 4-5 nights starting from this coming Friday. Can anybody recommend a nice hotel for me, please? And I also try to figure out 3-4 one-day trips not far from Sydney for 2 people. Any suggestion is appreciated. Thanks a lot inadvance.

Response:

> Hi there, > I need some help about finding a nice, clean and inexpensive in downtown > Sydney for 4-5 nights starting from this coming Friday. Can anybody > recommend a nice hotel for me, please? And I also try to figure out 3-4 > one-day trips not far from Sydney for 2 people. Any suggestion is > appreciated.

I believe the new Sydney Central Youth Hostel cnr Pitt & Rawson St (opp central Station) is more like a hotel Tel 02 9281 9111. Day trips to the Blue Mountains – cheapest way is to take the train to Katoomba and then the Explorer bus.  Coach tours will show you more; probably a wildlife park enroute.  If money is not a problem there are some 4WD tours that only take 6-8 people and go a little further into the bush. The coach trips that take the *Scenic Circle* thru the Hawkesbury cover more interesting terrain. If you have a car this route is a must – include Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens for the view. Ferry ride to Manly Hunter Valley – wine tasting If you have specific interests let me know. The Hawkesbury Show is on this weekend for a real *country experience*.  Only 1 hr 15min by train from Central. Vicki

Response:

Try our accommodation and our tours at below addresses. Regards Brian Crowley > Hi there, > I need some help about finding a nice, clean and inexpensive in downtown > Sydney for 4-5 nights starting from this coming Friday. Can anybody > recommend a nice hotel for me, please? And I also try to figure out 3-4 > one-day trips not far from Sydney for 2 people. Any suggestion is > appreciated. > Thanks a lot inadvance.

– Brian Crowley, Pension Albergo & Active Holidays   5 Day Street Leichhardt Sydney NSW 2040 Australia URL: http://www.zeta.org.au/~johnl/rambles.htm      http://www.zeta.org.au/~johnl/albergo.htm      http://www.zeta.org.au/~johnl/foster.htm      (02) 9 810 8906 or (02) 9 560 0179

Response:

I’m looking for a good company that offers PADI open water certfication courses at the great barrier reef. Can anyone recommend me a good company? Thanks

Response:

When I was in Cairns in March 96 I counted 21 companies offering some sort of dive excursions to The Great Barrier Reef.  My certification is out of date, so I took a resort dive (10 meters, 30 min.)  The company I used was ok, but not exceptional.  I went to a dive shop (ProDive) near the wharf and bought a mask.  In the process I talked to them about dive trips.  They told me which companies specialized in what kind of dives and where they went.  This might be an alternative, if you don’t get any recommendations here.  Since ProDive also does dive trips, they are somewhat biased. > I’m looking for a good company that offers PADI open water certfication > courses at the great barrier reef. > Can anyone recommend me a good company? > Thanks

– Jim Burke

Response:

Whatever you do, don’t just go for the cheapest course.  Although most firms are reputable, because the places out near Reef are tourist places, they have a huge turnover of people and certain areas have pretty bad safety records. I trained in Airlie Beach, as did many of my friends and I was the only one who came away unscathed.  Although nobody was seriously injured (i.e. the Bends, Nitrogen Narcosis etc.) at least three people I knew suffered burst ear drums as they had colds / blocked sinuses. It’s no wonder.  I did an open water course but you were able to pay extra to extend it to Advanced open water.  Two of the people on our course failed the theory tests (one of them terribly) but were still allowed to do the practicle. If you do have blocked sinuses or have a cold at the time, don’t let the dive firm tell you that you’re fine to dive (they only want your money). Make sure – have a medical just before you start a dive course, not months before. I later found out from various Guide books (Rough Guide to Australia, http://www.hotwired.com/rough/australia/  and Lonely Planet http://www.lonelyplanet.com.au that Airlie has a pretty poor safety record.  Something they’re keen for you not to find out once you are there! If you don’t have to worry about the reputation of the firm you choose, you can have much more fun out on the Reef, which is what diving is all about! Your best bet is to ask at your hostel / hotel.  They won’t care which firm you choose so won’t be biased. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > When I was in Cairns in March 96 I counted 21 companies offering some sort > of dive excursions to The Great Barrier Reef.  My certification is out of > date, so I took a resort dive (10 meters, 30 min.)  The company I used was > ok, but not exceptional.  I went to a dive shop (ProDive) near the wharf > and bought a mask.  In the process I talked to them about dive trips.  They > told me which companies specialized in what kind of dives and where they > went.  This might be an alternative, if you don’t get any recommendations > here.  Since ProDive also does dive trips, they are somewhat biased. > I’m looking for a good company that offers PADI open water certfication > courses at the great barrier reef. > Can anyone recommend me a good company? > Thanks > — > Jim Burke

–   _     _    __ ___  __          _   __  ___  /_   |  |__  |  |__  _  / /_ |__|  | /   .|_/ . __| |  |__  / / /   |    |

Response: